A micro-fabricated chemical gas sensor for detection of volatile pollutants and explosives

Stanford researchers have designed and tested an electrochemical gas sensor which can detect volatile organic species in the gas phase and differentiate multiple species with a single chip. Selective detection is achieved due to the unique redox potential of chemical species.
The ability to perform galvanostatic measurements when the electrodes are exposed to volatile organic species dispersed in a gas phase allows their detection and identification as they are oxidized and/or reduced at a specific applied voltage. By varying the material of the electrodes, specific species can be targeted. The selection of the electrode material is made on physico- chemical or electrocatalytic criteria.

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Stage of Research